CESC FABREGAS waited eight months to score - but now his second goal in four days virtually booked Arsenal 's Champions League place next season.

Midfield pin-up Fabregas had suffered the longest drought since last summer's hosepipe ban before he potted the winner against Bolton on Saturday.

And until the Spanish teenager settled the Gunners' nerves with a 25-yard rocket 17 minutes from time last night, Arsenal had their most frightening encounter with a Psycho since Janet Leigh's unexpected visitor in the shower.

Substitute Julio Baptista's goal seven minutes later ensured the win which lifts Arsenal to third in the Premiership - but gave a lop-sided look to the scoreline for City manager Stuart Pearce.

Dear old Psycho's 4-5-1 formation may have been less adventurous than hermits who refuse to collect the milk off their doorsteps, but it worked a treat until Fabregas performed his London bus trick.

The moaning and anxiety rippling around Ashburton Grove was music to Pearce's ears and he joked: "With the exception of Chelsea and Manchester United, there isn't a team in the Premiership who haven't been booed at home this season. It felt like we were playing at him and the booing was for me.

"It's a nice feeling when you are a visiting manager listening to that, and I thought we were heading for a point until Fabregas has pulled out a wonder strike."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: "When Fabregas didn't score for such a long time, it became an obsession - and you could tell from the way he celebrated his goal on Saturday it was a weight off his mind.

"When you consider he's not even 20 yet, there is still an injection of extra ability to come from him - he can dominate a game even though he's still a young boy."

But the Gunners have had an awkward maiden season at the Emirates, falling behind on no fewer than 12 occasions in 25 home fixtures.

They bucked the trend after 12 minutes last night, Emmanuel Eboue's rightwing cross catching City youngster Nedum Onuoha napping at the far post and Tomas Rosicky ghosted in to stab his shot past Andreas Isaksson.

The early goal lightened Wenger's mood as much as a #2,500 Football Association fine earlier in the day had lightened his wallet, but it served only to make Arsenal complacent.

Wenger, already clobbered #10,000 and warned about his future conduct after his Bonfire Night duel with Alan Pardew, could consider himself lucky to be docked only petty cash for haranguing referee Steve Bennett at halftime in the 2-2 draw with Portsmouth in December.

He may yet finish the season banned from the touchline, however, as he has yet to justify calling a linesman a liar in the aftermath of Arsenal's Snarling Cup brawl with Chelsea.

But Wenger had a ringside seat for the one-way traffic towards Isaksson's goal, which was interrupted only when Abou Diaby collected four stitches in a gashed scalp after an accidental collision with City skipper Richard Dunne. Diaby was eventually forced to retire hurt after half an hour, but Baptista's arrival could not lift the Gunners' passing above the intensity of testimonial football.

And four minutes before the break, Arsenal were made to pay. Jittery keeper Jens Lehmann's shanked clearance allowed Michael Johnson to set up lone striker DaMarcus Beasley for a crisp finish into the bottom corner.

Wenger's plaintive body language spoke volumes for City's resistance. But the Gunners strike twice and only then did the murmurs of disquiet subside, leaving Pearce to marvel at the fickleness of Premiership supporters.

"The next time I go to the theatre I'm going to let some thespians have it - I pay their wages and it will make me feel better as I leave!"